1 turn away | Definition of turn away

turn away

verb
turned away; turning away; turns away

Definition of turn away

transitive verb

1a : to refuse admittance or acceptance to
b : to send away : reject, dismiss
c : repel
2 : deflect, avert

intransitive verb

: to start to go away : depart

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Examples of turn away in a Sentence

using tree branches, the campers were able to turn away the charging fox, which was apparently rabid

Recent Examples on the Web

Residents trying to return to the southern, most damaged end of the island were turned away at a checkpoint by federal officials only allowing repair vehicles to pass. Washington Post, "‘Total devastation:’ U.S. island hit hardest by Dorian prepares for long recovery," 7 Sep. 2019 In 1975, just a year before Wong and Lok were turned away from the minority-students banquet, Allan Bakke, a 35-year-old white man, was rejected for the second time by the medical school at the University of California, Davis. New York Times, "Where Does Affirmative Action Leave Asian-Americans?," 30 Aug. 2019 No one is turned away for lack of insurance or ability to pay. Mike Cason | [email protected], al, "Providers want to find and stamp out HIV in rural Alabama," 12 Aug. 2019 The vet, a recipient of the Bronze Star with valor, was ultimately turned away by the Wildwood Inn. Max Londberg, Cincinnati.com, "Iraq War vet with PTSD denied lodging at NKY inn because of her service dog, complaint says," 25 July 2019 Getting a glimpse of the top of the mountain, only to end up getting turned away, can be just as powerful. Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star, "No longer underdogs, Colts turn to Chiefs playoff loss to fuel the fire," 24 July 2019 An attempt to reach him at his home was turned away. Anchorage Daily News, "Newly unsealed exhibits in opioid case reveal inner workings of the drug industry," 24 July 2019 But in the meantime anyone who passes through Guatemala or Mexico on the way to the southern border without first seeking refuge there may be turned away. The Economist, "The White House ditches half a century of immigration law," 20 July 2019 In fact, children perceived as not what the parents ordered can even be turned away. Kristan Hawkins, National Review, "Creating Disposable Babies — Yes We Can, but Should We?," 19 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'turn away.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of turn away

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

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